An uncommonly clever, insightful, and funny voice of reason* in all this multiple sclerosis silliness

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

On Your Left

This
past weekend for the first time in more than half a decade, I was spending the
afternoon on the bike trail. And admittedly it was thrilling to take in all the
scenery that was passing me by… uh, quite literally passing me by. I was passed
by teams of spandex-clad cyclists with matching road bikes. I was passed by
friends out for a leisurely Saturday ride. I was passed by an overweight dad on
his son’s too-small squeaky mountain bike. (Admittedly, at this this point I
started looking over my shoulder for grandmothers riding fixies festooned with
baskets and bells.) “On your left” was the repeated refrain. And I did not
care. I finally was cycling again… with my wife, outside, on a brilliant day.

Sure
I was traveling at a speed more accustomed to joggers. I pedaled up tiny hills
at such a lazy pace that the sun’s position in the sky visibly changed before summiting.
Heck, to keep pace with me when she wasn’t sprinting ahead to get a little
exercise, Laura nearly had to pull trick-riding moves to balance on her
two-wheeler. In the past, this might have frustrated me immensely. After all I
used to be a regular cyclist, even organizing special event rides on this very
trail (e.g., Bike for a Burrito, slogan “it’s a gas”).

Over
time, though, I’ve learned that when you have multiple sclerosis, there is
little to be gained by bundling valuable energies into mourning the body of
your past. Savor the present instead, and turn shortcomings into opportunities.

On
this afternoon I was going so slowly, I could stare down animals along the
trail that in the past would have skittered for shelter as I romped by. I could
overhear curious kids squeal to their parents to look, loook, LOOOOK at that
cool bike and how badly they wanted one. I could daydream to the hypnotic fishing-reel
tck-tck-tck of the rear hubs when I coasted on the flats. And I could marvel as
future Olympians steamrolled down the trail directly toward me. Egad, daydream
over!

Seriously.
Long-distance runners from the women’s 2016 Japanese team were training that
day, taking advantage of Albuquerque’s mile-high altitude and perfect 70-degree
weather. Coaches, each laden with a half dozen stopwatches, monitored their every
step. Members of the squad kindly nodded my direction as our paths crossed.
Perhaps one day I’ll have to learn how to say “左手に” to pass
these marathoners while speeding along on my trike, but for now I’m quite
content to be the slow dude on the right.

Boy, can I relate! And I mean the whole story.....we're slow as molasses ( well, I hope we at least beat out the syrup!!) but "trike grinning" the whole time. Isn't it wonderful....I thank you for initially talking about these as I really had no clue.... My big perk yesterday riding was a boys' running club going by me . I saw the lead kid put his hand down so as I passed he could just silently "slap me five". Loved it... "You da Man, Dave!" Can't say it enough!

Veronica, I just wish I had followed my own advice a few years earlier. I've so missed the trail! Runners can speed at a pretty good clip, some 15 mph if really chugging. I'd need a good hill to keep pace with those guys.

MOS, my cooling vest would have been a touch challenging to chew through, so I wasn't overly concerned. And I'm not sure if I was "sitting" in the saddle... more like comfortably reclining. Beer, Fritos, and an episode of Breaking Bad on my cellphone would make it perfect, but Laura would likely frown on such additions.

Alexander, the trike can be fitted with grab bars to help you pull yourself up. But this is something you'd absolutely have to test in the store before buying. A delta trike, with two wheels in the back and one in the front, is far easier to get in and out of, but isn't quite as nimble or stable due to its higher position. That might work better for you.

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About the Blog

This is the official blog of ActiveMSers, which is designed to help, motivate, and inspire those with multiple sclerosis to stay as active as possible—physically, intellectually, and socially—regardless of physical limitations. It is written by founder Dave Bexfield and was started in 2006. Topics include: getting diagnosed, dealing with symptoms, staying active, and hope. Laughter is always encouraged.

About Me

For better or worse, I’ve learned a lot about handling this disease (um, more than many) since I was diagnosed in ’06. And I’ve written about that experience here, where I take a personal look at MS … with a tilted head, raised eyebrow, and a cracked smile. It may be just what the doc ordered when you want an escape from the oh-so-serious world that is multiple sclerosis. (To read more about me, click the About Dave on the left of my blog home page.)